"Sleeper's Wake" International Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival

Bioskope Pictures and Videovision Entertainment, announced today that the new South African feature film SLEEPER’S WAKE directed by Barry Berk has been invited to screen in competition at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), regarded as the most important film festival after the Cannes Film Festival. This year TIFF runs from September 6 – 16, 2012 in Toronto, Canada with the international premiere ofSLEEPER’S WAKE taking place on Friday, 7 September.

Rasha Salti, programmer of the film, describes SLEEPER’S WAKE as “a quietly magnetic force that grows in intensity as the film approaches its powerful conclusion.” Salti also points out that SLEEPER’S WAKE is the only South African film selected for TIFF 2012.

SLEEPER’S WAKE had its world premiere at the Durban Film Festival in July receiving rave reviews in the local press. The film is adapted from the award winning novel byAlistair Morgan and was shot on location on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast and in Johannesburg.

SLEEPER’S WAKE is a suspenseful drama which follows a recently widowed man who takes refuge in a small coastal town to heal his grief only to get caught up in a dangerous relationship with a beautiful young woman.

The film signals Berk’s directorial feature film debut after a distinguished career in television directing for the hit British series Wild At Heart and well known South African TV dramas like The Lab, Gaz Lam, Yizo Yizo. His made-for-TV film, The Good Provider, won Best Family Drama at the BANFF World Television Festival in 2006 and received nine nominations at the South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs) including, Best Director and Best Drama.

SLEEPER’S WAKE stars Lionel Newton (Jozi, Gums & Noses) and Jay Anstey who has developed a huge following through her role in the daily soapie, Isidingo. Deon Lotz, the star of Skoonheid which screened last year at TIFF, rounds out the strong all-local cast.

Videovision Entertainment’s Director of Acquisition and Distribution, Sanjeev Singh commented, “We are thrilled that SLEEPER’S WAKE is the only South African film to be selected for Toronto this year. This recognition is a huge honour for the film as it was independently produced with a modest budget.”

Videovision Entertainment’s international arm, Distant Horizon will handle international sales of SLEEPER’S WAKE and the film will be represented by Sanjeev Singh and Ken Kaplan in Toronto.

SLEEPER’S WAKE is a Bioskope Pictures and Videovision Entertainment production starring Lionel Newton, Jay Anstey and Deon Lotz. It is produced by Ken Kaplan, executive produced by Barry Berk, Anant Singh, Sudhir Pragjee, Sanjeev Singh, Robert Naidoo, Ronnie Apteker and Richard Cohen and written and directed by Barry Berk.